PROTEIN-UTILIZATION IN HUMANS AS AFFECTED BY LEVEL OF DIETARY-FAT

The objective of the project was to determine the effects of level of fat with or without manganese supplementation of diets on protein stat us of humans. Fourteen healthy adult humans participated in a 61 day s tudy in which they were fed a low fat diet similar to the HANES I surv ey or a moderate fat diet similar to the U.S. Dietary Goal recommendat ion with or without manganese supplementation. Mean fecal nitrogen exc retions were significantly lower while subjects received moderate fat diets (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in urinary nit rogen losses while subjects received the low or moderate fat diet. Nit rogen balances were more positive when low fat diets then moderate fat diets were fed (p<0.004). Manganese supplementation did not show any statistical significance on nitrogen excretions or on nitrogen balance s. Thus, it would appear that lower fat diets may have a positive effe ct on the protein status of humans.